De’Zhaun Stribling Stock Continues to Climb
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling has spent August pushing his way up redraft boards, and continued injury trouble around him in the receiver room only strengthens his case. Mike Evans has been managing his own ailments through camp, adding to an already thin group behind him.
Stribling has done more than simply benefit from other players’ misfortune. The 33rd overall pick has turned heads throughout camp and the preseason with his combination of size, hands, and preparation, drawing a standout endorsement from Evans himself. “He’s a rookie, but he’s a pro,” Evans said. “He’s been a pro. The way he practices, the way he prepares, he’s gonna make a lot of plays for us this year.” That’s a notable compliment coming from one of the more accomplished receivers of his generation.
Stribling has dealt with a couple of minor ailments this summer, including hamstring tightness and a shoulder issue, neither of which is serious enough to threaten his standing in the offense. San Francisco has taken a cautious, day-to-day approach with him rather than treating either as a real setback.
The opportunity in front of Stribling is real. Ricky Pearsall is already out for the season after undergoing PCL surgery, and Christian Kirk has missed extensive practice time with a calf strain, leaving the 49ers searching for dependable depth behind their top options. Deebo Samuel Sr. remains part of a crowded target picture as well, so an immediate, featured role for the rookie isn’t guaranteed the moment the games start counting.
Still, between the injuries opening the door and Stribling’s own strong showing when he’s been on the field, San Francisco’s plan appears to be increasingly built around getting him real snaps early in the season. A 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine and a reputation as a willing blocker give him a well-rounded profile that fits what the 49ers need in a complementary role.
His redraft stock has been trending firmly upward as a result, and continued injury uncertainty around him in the receiver room only adds to the case that Stribling could see far more volume as a rookie than his draft slot alone would suggest.
